BioTech IP Review

Optimized CSP Variants and Related Methods

  • Application Number / Publication: WO/2024/228150 (International PCT publication)
  • Filing Date: May 02, 2024
  • Publication Date: Nov 07, 2024
  • Applicant / Assignee: BioNTech SE
  • Inventors (Example): Thomas Ziegenhals, Charles Jennison, Karla‑Gerlinde Schraut, Anja Dokic (per WO publication listing)

What This Patent Covers

This international patent application claims optimized variants of the CSP protein (likely referring to a circumsporozoite protein or another clinically relevant antigen candidate, depending on BioNTech’s vaccine or therapeutic focus) and methods related to designing and using those optimized variants in vaccine or immunotherapy contexts. The CSP protein (classically associated with malaria vaccine development) or other protein immunogens are often targets for improved stability, immune response, expression, or manufacturability in mRNA or protein‑based vaccine platforms.

  • Optimized protein antigen sequences (“variants”): Modified versions of an immunogen that improve immunogenicity (immune system activation), stability, or expression compared to natural sequences.
  • Design methods: Approaches for selective sequence modifications (e.g., mutations, structural tweaks) that enhance desirable features in the antigen for vaccine use.
  • Use in vaccine formulations: Methods of making or using these optimized variants in vaccines or immunotherapies, likely encompassing mRNA, DNA, vector‑based, or protein subunit vaccine platforms.
  • Potential adjuvant or delivery aspects: While not specified in the headline, related methods frequently include aspects of formulation that influence presentation of the optimized antigen to the immune system.

Because this is a PCT international application published in late 2024, the details of claims and full scope will only be fixed when/if national filings (e.g., U.S., EU) are entered and examined.

Why This Patent Is Important

  • Strategic for future vaccines: BioNTech is expanding beyond COVID‑19 vaccines into other infectious disease and oncology vaccines. Having proprietary optimized antigen variants helps differentiate its vaccine candidates and defend against competition.
  • Foundation for broad IP coverage: Optimizing protein antigens and claiming methods of design and use can create broad intellectual property that covers a spectrum of vaccine products, not just one molecule.
  • Supports high‑value product pipelines: BioNTech’s oncology vaccine programs and next‑generation infectious disease vaccines (e.g., malaria, influenza, RSV) rely on potent antigen design — an area where patents can underwrite market exclusivity.

Summary

The international patent application WO/2024/228150, filed May 2, 2024 by BioNTech SE and published Nov 7, 2024, is one of the company’s most important biotech IP filings. It claims optimized antigen (CSP) variants and related methods for vaccine or immunotherapy use — protecting key sequence innovations and design strategies that could underpin future high‑value mRNA or protein‑based vaccines beyond current COVID‑19 products.

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